‘NUGU Mini’, which is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) speaker released by SK Telecom on the 11th, has improved portability as it is three times smaller than previous NUGUs. It has improved functions that are close to daily life of a person.
NUGU Mini quickly and conveniently helps with tasks related to banking. It found out exchange rate between dollar and won and number of customers that are waiting at a particular branch. It also sent a ticket that has one’s turn written on it through a Smartphone banking application when it was asked to print out a ticket number. It was able to check exchange rate and reduce waiting time with just few words given as commands.
It was also excellent in providing information on movies. It provided ranking of movies that were currently showing at movie theaters and short synopsis of those movies. It also acted as an entertainment friend. It suggested nonsense and proverb quizzes when it heard “I am bored.”. It also sometimes played songs on high-pitched tone and had abilities to tell jokes.

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<‘NUGU Mini’, which is connected to public Wi-Fi, is being operated outdoors.>

When it was requested to provide current news, it provided them according to the time of a particular day. When a favorite baseball team was registered through NUGU Mini application, it provided results of games, schedules, and current ranking in real time.
However there are some functions that are lacking with NUGU Mini. Although it is a portable AI speaker, it cannot be used in an environment where there is no Wi-Fi. One has to either use Egg (portable modem) or receive tethering from another person. It can only be used when there are at least two people. In order for an individual to use NUGU Mini outdoors, public Wi-Fi is a must.
SK Telecom promised that it will clearly notify information regarding ‘limitations in outdoor use’ to consumers who are planning to purchase NUGU Mini. In order to make NUGU Mini more convenient, it is planning to introduce a technology that will allow an individual to use NUGU Mini outdoor sometime during third quarter.
Its sound has become more quiet as its size has become smaller.
Staff Reporter Choi, Jaepil | jpchoi@etnews.com